BIG Benefits to Low Passenger Counts

[morpheusofthesea]

While on a recent cruise, we attended the first evenings show in the theatre. The cruise director’s welcome speech was quite telling. He said “that our sailing had about 1000 passengers out of about 6000 guest capacity. This meant we could now save 6 deck chairs around the pool deck instead of just 2. Why not?      All now have the benefit and feel of cruising on the largest ‘yacht’ in the world.” No lines anywhere. Walk up to any venue and be immediately seated. Commandeer 2 deck lounge chairs in the sun and 2 in the shade. Able to socially distance in any venue. Less crowded, even empty elevators with little wait.

  If guests want to get the ‘feel’ of what it is like to cruise on some of the largest ‘yachts’ in the world, right now is the time. Choose a line that is still limiting passenger capacity

 

[JT1962]

It’s a great time to cruise. On my January cruise on Meraviglia there were less than 600 passengers. No waiting anywhere, only shared an elevator twice, etc. 

[morpheusofthesea]

One need not book suites at the present time to get real attention and service for a low low price. One reason we book suites is to get real attention and service, but we had to pay a real high price. Now all we are getting in addition to a real high price is a bigger cabin with a bigger balcony. So those passengers who still have not been spoiled by cabin and balcony sizes are in for a real treat cruising on the lines that are limiting capacities. These 'lucky' cruisers are experiencing instant gratification that only suite guests are used to expecting.

  P.S. No, I am not a travel agent.

Edited May 29, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[kidless]

We have cruised Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and MSC since the restart. Royal and Celebrity seem to have 80% and higher capacity but they are having lots of covid issues. 

[no1talks]

54 minutes ago, kidless said:

We have cruised Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and MSC since the restart. Royal and Celebrity seem to have 80% and higher capacity but they are having lots of covid issues. 

Royal and Celebrity also have shareholders to placate.

 

MSC (the cruise line) is, in essence, only indebted to itself. Their COVID shutdown financial assistance came from MSC (the freight shipping company).

[Markanddonna]

Your advice is not exactly accurate. You might still experience low numbers when the kids are still in school, but the summer floodgates have burst open. Our MSC cruise in March had 3,300 people (spring break with lots of kids) and the week prior had about 800. MSC isn't going to tell you their numbers. It will be SURPRISE!!! once you board.

[morpheusofthesea]

5 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

Your advice is not exactly accurate. You might still experience low numbers when the kids are still in school, but the summer floodgates have burst open. Our MSC cruise in March had 3,300 people (spring break with lots of kids) and the week prior had about 800. MSC isn't going to tell you their numbers. It will be SURPRISE!!! once you board.

So you are saying "This ship has sailed." 

[Markanddonna]

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

So you are saying "This ship has sailed." 

Yep, maybe the ship will circle back in the fall with low numbers.

[cruiseguy56]

We sailed HAL in January and had just at 1100 on a bout designed for 2500+. The morning buffet breakfast rush was usually us and maybe two other couples on one side of the boat. Had the thermal suite to ourselves 99.7% of the time on board. No waiting to embark or debark. Sat by the pool each evening and no one was there. Had the run of the machines in the casino as we never saw more than 10 others there while we were there. Best cruise ever! Not expecting that on the next two for this year. Hoping late August MSC Divina will not be full of kids as they should be going back to school.